Beauty ingredient research

Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Browse the review database to understand what an ingredient is, what it does in a beauty formula, when it is useful, and when it deserves caution across skincare, haircare, bodycare, makeup, and more.

20769

Reviewed ingredients

524

Low-concern standouts

2884

Need usage caution

Showing 60 of 1,342
AllUV absorberUV filterabrasiveabsorbentacne treatmentactiveactive ingredientadhesivealkalizing agentamino acidanti-aginganti-androgenanti-cavityanti-cavity agentanti-inflammatoryanti-irritantanticariesanticavity agentantidandruffantifungalantimicrobialantioxidantantiperspirantantiplaqueastringentbarrier repairbarrier supportbarrier-repairbarrier-supportbinderbinding agentbiotechbiotechnologybond-builderbotanicalbotanical extractbotanical oilbotanical waterbrighteningbrightening agentbufferbuffering agentcell-communicating ingredientceramidechelating agentchemicalchemical intermediateclaycleansercleansingcleansing agentcolorantconditionerconditioningconditioning agentcooling agentcosmeticcosmetic additivecosmetic colorantcosmetic ingredientcosmetic pigmentcosmetic powdercosmetic-texturizercosmetic-waxcosmeticscrosslinking agentdelivery agentdelivery systemdenaturantdeodorantdeodorant agentdepigmenting agentdepilatorydepilatory agentdesensitizing agentdyedye intermediatedye precursordye-intermediateemollientemulsifierenzymeessential oilexfoliantexperimentaleyelashfermentfilm formerfilm-formerfilm-formingfilm-forming agentfirming agentfixativeflavoring agentformulationfragrancefragrance ingredientfunctional ingredientgashair carehair colorhair coloranthair conditionerhair dyehair removalhair-carehair-colorhaircarehumectantindustrialinsecticideintermediatelashlash carelash enhancerlash-and-browlip carelipidmakeupmarine extractmasking agentmicrobiomemicrobiome modulatormineralmoisturizernail carenail-careocclusiveoilopacifieropacifying agentoptical agentoral careotheroxidative dyeoxidative dye precursoroxidizing agentpH adjusterpain reliefpenetration enhancerpeptidepersonal careph adjusterpharmaceuticalpheromonepigmentplant oilplasticizerpolymerpolymer precursorprebioticprescription-drugpreservativepreservative boosterprobioticprocessing agentprocessing aidpropellantproteinpurifyingreducing agentretinoidscalp caresebum regulatorsebum-regulatorself-tannerself-tanningsensory additivesensory agentsensory modifiersiliconeskin barrierskin barrier supportskin conditionerskin conditioningskin conditioning agentskin lighteningskin protectantskin-conditioningskin-conditioning agentskin-identicalskin-identical ingredientskin-lighteningskin-lightening agentskincaresolventsoothingsoothing agentstabilizerstimulantsunscreensurfactantsyntheticsynthetic colorantsynthetic dyesynthetic resinsynthetic-coloranttexture enhancertexturizerthickenertoneruv-absorberuv-filtervasoactivevasodilatorviscosity controlviscosity controllingviscosity controlling agentvitaminwax

Emulsifier

Alkyl Glucoside Dimethicone

C6-8 Alkyl C3-6 Alkyl Glucoside Dimethicone

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, stable formulas without heavy residue.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Alkyl Glucosidyl Silicone Blend

C8-12 ALKYL GLUCOSIDYL HYDROXYCYCLOHEXYLETHYL PEG-18/PPG-6 DIMETHICONE

3.8

A gentle, silicone-based cleansing and texturizing ingredient that helps products spread smoothly without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincaresurfactantemulsifier
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Emollient

Almond Oil Glycereth-8 Esters

ALMOND OIL GLYCERETH-8 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle, semi-synthetic ingredient that combines the moisturizing benefits of almond oil with improved water solubility for stable, non-greasy formulas.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollientemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Aluminum Dicetyl Phosphate

Aluminum Dicetyl Phosphate

4.0

A gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in creams and lotions, giving them a smooth, non-greasy feel.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Ammonium Stearate

Ammonium Stearate

3.5

Ammonium Stearate is a safe, mild emulsifier that helps creams and lotions feel smooth and stay mixed, but it can be drying for very sensitive or dry skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emollient

Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-6 Esters

APRICOT KERNEL OIL PEG-6 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle, semi-synthetic emollient that helps moisturize and stabilize formulas, but may raise concerns for those avoiding PEG compounds.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollientemulsifier
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Emollient

Apricot Kernel Oil PEG-8 Esters

APRICOT KERNEL OIL PEG-8 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle, water-friendly emollient that helps products spread smoothly and leaves skin soft without a greasy feel.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemollientemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Arachideth-37

Arachideth-37

3.8

Arachideth-37 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps water and oil mix in your products, but it's not a star ingredient for skin benefits.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Argan Oil Aminopropanediol Esters

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil Aminopropanediol Esters

4.0

A gentle, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend water and oil in formulas while offering light skin conditioning.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Argan Oil PEG-8 Esters

ARGAN OIL PEG-8 ESTERS

4.0

A gentle, water-friendly version of argan oil that helps blend oil and water in formulas while leaving skin feeling soft, not greasy.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Avocado Oil PEG-11 Esters

AVOCADO OIL PEG-11 ESTERS

3.8

A gentle, semi-synthetic emulsifier that helps blend oil and water in cleansers and lotions, with low irritation potential.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Beheneth-10

Beheneth-10

4.0

Beheneth-10 is a gentle, synthetic emulsifier that helps mix oil and water in products, making it a safe choice for most skin types, including sensitive skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincaresurfactantemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Beheneth-15

BEHENETH-15

4.0

Beheneth-15 is a gentle synthetic emulsifier that helps oil and water mix in creams and lotions, with a low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Beheneth-2

Beheneth-2

4.0

Beheneth-2 is a gentle emulsifier that helps creamy products stay smooth and stable, with a very low risk of irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Surfactant

Beheneth-30 Phosphate

BEHENETH-30 PHOSPHATE

4.0

Beheneth-30 Phosphate is a gentle, synthetic surfactant that effectively cleanses and helps mix oil and water without stripping the skin.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincarecleansingemulsifier
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Skin Conditioning Agent

Behenoyl Stearic Acid

Behenoyl Stearic Acid

3.5

Behenoyl Stearic Acid is a gentle synthetic ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize emulsions, but it is not a standout active.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Conditioning Agent

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

4.5

A gentle, plant-derived conditioning ingredient that softens hair and skin without the heavy buildup or irritation of older quaternary ammonium compounds.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincarehaircareconditioning agent
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Skin Conditioning

Betulinyl Methoxy PEG-22 Carboxylate

Betulinyl Methoxy PEG-22 Carboxylate

3.8

A gentle, PEG-modified birch-derived ingredient that helps condition skin and stabilize formulas, but research on its specific benefits is still limited.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-Carboxydecyl Dimethicone

Bis-Carboxydecyl Dimethicone

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that stabilizes formulas and leaves skin feeling smooth without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-Palmitoyl Tromethamine

Bis-Palmitoyl Tromethamine

4.0

A gentle emulsifier that helps blend oil and water, improving product texture and stability without common irritation concerns.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-1 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-1 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, stable formulas without heavy or greasy feel.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-10 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-10 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-12 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and feel without common silicone downsides.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-18 Disiloxane

BIS-PEG-18 DISILOXANE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps create smooth, lightweight textures without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-20 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-20 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and helps ingredients mix together without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-4 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-4 DIMETHICONE

4.3

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without common silicone downsides.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-8 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-8 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves product texture and spreadability without clogging pores or causing irritation.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG-8 PEG-8 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG-8 PEG-8 DIMETHICONE

4.2

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products feel silky and spread easily without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG/PPG-15/5 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG/PPG-15/5 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that helps products spread smoothly and feel silky without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that creates smooth, spreadable textures without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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Emulsifier

Bis-PEG/PPG-20/5 Dimethicone

BIS-PEG/PPG-20/5 PEG/PPG-20/5 DIMETHICONE

4.0

A gentle silicone emulsifier that improves texture and spreadability without clogging pores.

Irritation

low

Source

semi-synthetic

beautyskincareemulsifier
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